Where to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong in 2023, from family-friendly workshops at The Ritz-Carlton and Central Market, to watching fireworks over bubbly at the Mandarin Oriental

Dec 22 , 2023

Partygoers at Vista Italian restaurant will enjoy unrivalled views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Photos: Handouts

Eat, drink and be merry may be the standard Christmas commandments, but there’s more to the holiday season in Hong Kong than just hedonistic pleasures (no matter how flavoursome). If you’re able to pull yourself away from the bar or dining room, here are the best seasonal events happening this year.

1. Central Market

At Central Market, a Christmas tree features LT Duck ornaments, while a giant LT Duck installation delights visitors on the terrace

There are winter markets throughout Hong Kong and while Central Market’s might not have the charm of traditional European-style stalls, it makes up for it with a breadth of activities. There’s a large-scale installation dedicated to one of Hong Kong’s earliest plastic toys, the LT Duck, created by Lam Leung-tim in 1948, and ducks feature throughout the venue.

It’s not all toys and shopping at Central Market though. Between Christmas Eve and December 30, the centre is collaborating with organisations including the Fringe Club, Kings Rhythmic Gymnastics Ballet Academy, Greenery Music and New Wave Music to offer visitors live music and dance performances.

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For those wanting to get hands-on with activities, on December 24, 25, 26 and 31, there will be Christmas workshops themed around The Little Prince in celebration of the story’s 80th anniversary. Creative maker options will include Christmas terrariums, French braided mini Christmas wreaths, and handmade lip balms.

Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central

2. The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong’s pastry chef is leading children and their parents through the making of a gingerbread house

This Christmas, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is teaming up with luxury brand Montblanc for the first time. Together they are decking out the five-star hotel in captivating Christmas decorations centred on a resplendent wishing tree that will marry the beauty of a winter landscape with origami decorations that reflect Montblanc’s roots in writing culture. Pens will adorn the tree and can be used to write postcards to loved ones inside an igloo adjacent to the tree. There are also gingerbread-house-making workshops for kids and their parents. Led by the hotel’s pastry chef, participants will design and build their own gingerbread house and then take it home to display (and devour).

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon

3. SnowPark at IFC Mall

Visitors to the IFC Mall can get a taste of more northerly climes at the SnowPark

Hong Kong might not be the Alps or Niseko when it comes to being a winter wonderland, but that doesn’t mean families can’t get a feel for the season. The IFC Mall’s SnowPark (running until New Year’s Day) has a sackful of activities for kids this year. The centrepiece is an 8.5-metre Christmas tree containing the “Snowiverse” – a magical place of dancing snowflakes and shimmering ice crystals, created with projection mapping. At the SnowPark, visitors can take a personalised AI photo, try an ice fishing challenge or enjoy the excitement of simulated skiing.

IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central

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4. The Mandarin Oriental

The Mandarin Oriental can be relied on to provide cosy Christmas vibes

Fresh off its 60th anniversary celebrations, the Mandarin Oriental is ready to ring in the New Year in style. Located on the 23rd floor of the hotel, with over 6,200 sq ft of space and unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour, the Mandarin Club is an exclusive venue for viewing the New Year’s Eve fireworks. From 11.30pm, in-house guests can enjoy free access, while restaurant and bar patrons can enjoy access for an additional HK$888. The package includes free-flow champagne, house wines, beer and soft drinks as well as canapés and live entertainment.

Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central

5. “Midnight in Milan” at Vista Italian restaurant

Vista restaurant is bringing the spirit of Italian flamboyance to diners in Tsim Sha Tsui

Directly facing the Hong Kong Island skyline, Vista Italian restaurant is a prime location for watching the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The party this year has the theme “Midnight in Milan” and promises “surprise entertainment” and DJs into the wee small hours. Tickets cost HK$788, including free-flow Veuve Clicquot and cocktails from 9pm until midnight.

Vista, 29-30/F, One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

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6. Qura at The Regent

Christmas at Qura, the Regent Hong Kong’s new concept bar

It’s been a busy period at the Regent lately. The luxury hotel hosted a lavish party for its official grand opening and welcomed back acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa for the reopening of Nobu Hong Kong. The latest happening is the launch of Qura this month, with the hotel’s first concept bar dedicated to rare spirits, wines and cigars. As with the lobby area, Qura boasts fantastic views of the harbour, making it an ideal spot to sit and relax while taking in the fireworks. Live music, fine drinks and sumptuous bar bites complete the New Year’s Eve experience. Table packages start from HK$4,000, with walk-in tickets at HK$980.

Christmas

Central Market is celebrating Hong Kong’s iconic LT Duck while offering Christmas activities, while The Ritz-Carlton has partnered with Montblanc and is holding gingerbread house-making workshops
The Mandarin Oriental’s Mandarin Club lets you watch the fireworks from Hong Kong side, or you could catch the action from Kowloon side at the Regent hotel lobby or Vista Italian restaurant